Robert Wendel

The Tall Ships

Instrumentation2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, bass drum, piatti, susp. cym., glock, tam-tam, triangle, snare drum, "ship's bell," Harp, celeste, and strings
Length6:35
DifficultyModerate [professional] [needs a GOOD horn section]
CommentsThis is an "evocation" of the old sailing ships and the explorers who manned them: wind, waves, sails, hard work and sea chanties. Appropriate for Pops concerts [Memorial Day, July 4th and such] or lighter subscription fare.
SourcesRobert Wendel Music, NYC http://www.wendelmusic.com
ExtrasSound file exerpt available on our website. Full demo tapes available via web site also.
HistoryPremiere by Dubuque Symphony. Addt'l performances by the Virginia Sym., Brisbane Music Fest [Australia], Taunton Fest.
ContributorRobert Wendel
Other

Commemoration

InstrumentationPiccolo, 2 Flutes, 1 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinets 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 2,3,or 4 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, Snare Drum, Chimes, Tam-Tam, Susp Cym, Glock, optional organ [ad lib] and strings.
Length3:35
DifficultyEssentially easy, though all trumpets and first violins need a "solid" range to high A.
CommentsThis a "piece d'occassion" for any sort of memorial, remembrance, or honorarium such a Memorial Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, or other specific "occasions." It is essentially a "double trumpet voluntary" playable by 2, 3, or 4 trumpets with or without "antiphonal" placement. The tone is solemn but noble & heroic, not lamentory.
SourcesRobert Wendel Music, NYC. http://www.wendelmusic.com

Rental price is $100 for the first performance, $50 second, $25 3rd and beyond within 30 days.

Extrasmpeg3 audio "demo" available for download on my web site, linked below. The file is 860k, and will take about 10 minutes to download before playing but you can hear the entire work when done.]
HistoryCincinnati Pops, Naples Phil, Jacksonville Sym., Wichita Sym., Abington Sym., London Festival, Brevard, Gulf Coast Sym., Crested Butte Music Festival, Kona Sym., Bristol CT Sym.
ContributorRobert Wendel, the composer
Other

Fantasia On "Yeroushalaim Chel Zahav" [Jerusalem Of Gold]

Instrumentation1/1+ EH/1/1 - 0/0/0/0 - 1 perc - harp and strings
Length5:20
DifficultyEasy/moderate [high oboe & bassoon writing at times]
CommentsCan be played in subscription, holiday, or pops concerts. Very "exotic" in sound & scoring. Style is that of a "fantasia", not a mere arrangement or "orchestration".
SourcesRobert Wendel Music, NYC. http://www.wendelmusic.com See this site for rental fees.
Extrasmp3 "demo" files are also available at the above site.
HistoryPremiered May 2000 by Kona Community Orchestra.
ContributorRobert Wendel, the composer
OtherThe "Yeroushalaim Chel Zahav" theme was heard in the film "Schindler's List".

Parade Of The Percussionists

Instrumentation2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 timp, trap set, 3-5 perc, opt piano & strings.
Length3:50
DifficultyI tried to keep this one fairly easy.
CommentsThis is a parade-like march for the percussion section, accompanied by the rest of the orchestra, and is rather melodic despite this self-imposed "restriction." It should rehearse quickly, and is a nice surprise for any Pops concert and great for Youth Concerts.

The "Battery" includes: 4 timpani, trap set, xylophone, glock, chimes, Bass drum & piatti [drum mounted, or extra player needed], tambourine, triangle, wood block, tam-tam, temple blocks, whip crack, auto horn, and large balloon or starter's pistol. It "can" be pretty well covered by 3 athletic percussionists, but 4 would be more "comfortable." [That's in addition to the timp and trap set players.]

SourcesRobert Wendel Music, NYC
Extrasmp3 audio file available for download, along with rental prices and terms at: http://www.wendelmusic.com
HistoryHouston Sym., Columbus GA, New Britain Sym., Kona Symphony
ContributorRobert Wendel, the composer
Other

Fanfare For Freedom

Instrumentation2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timp, Chimes Glock, Piatti, Triangle, Piano [opt] and strings.
Length3:45
DifficultyModerate...needs strong Brass section
CommentsSuitable for any concert, esp Patriotic themes.
SourcesRobert Wendel Music, NYC http://www.wendelmusic.com
ExtrasAudio demo and full rental info available through Robert Wendel Music, tel. 212-362-9094, or see website.
HistorySince 1994, over 30 performances by The Cincinnati Pops, Dallas Sym., Alabama Sym., Atlanta Sym., Louisville Orch., North Carolina Sym., New Jersey Sym., Indianapolis Sym., Columbus OH, Naples, Phil., Gulf Coast Sym., SE Michigan, Pacific Sym, Rockford Sym., Champaign-Urbana Sym., Charlotte Sym., St. Cloud Sym., Brevard Sym., Westerville Sym., Bloomington Pops, Baton Rouge Sym., Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, SW Michigan Sym., West Virginia Sym., Modesto, Dubuque, San Bernardino, Kona, Cedar Rapids, Wichita, Meridian, Greenville, Tacoma and others.
ContributorRobert Wendel
Other

Ride Of The Headless Horseman

Instrumentation2+picc/1+EH/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp, trap set [or snare drum, tom-tom and suspended cymbal] chimes, glock, xylophone, triangle, tam-tam, Mark Tree [or wind chimes], piatti, bass drum, harp and strings
Length5:15
DifficultyModerate [mostly due to shifting 5/8. 6/8. 9/8 bars, but the patterns repeat.]
CommentsBest for Hallowe'en of course, but can certainly be played any time, especially for youth concerts, as it follows the Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Program-wise: Sounds of the foggy forest, the church bell strikes midnight, the horse rears up and the chase is on until the Headless Horseman corners Ichabod Crane at the covered bridge and "the deed is done."
SourcesRobert Wendel Music, NYC http://www.wendelmusic.com
Extrasmp3 audio [sampled] file available for download at web site above.
HistoryKansas City Sym., Wm. & Mary College
ContributorRobert Wendel
Other

Santa Dear

Instrumentation2/2/2/2 - 2/0/0/0 - timpani, glock, triangle, sleigh bells, harp, celeste [or piano 8va] & strings. Childrens chorus OR solo.
Length3:10
DifficultyEasy!
CommentsThis is a "letter of denial" to Santa from some one who seems to get into a LOT of trouble. Lyrics are non-gender-specific. This should get more than a few chuckles for your Holiday concerts.
SourcesScore and parts on rental from Robert Wendel Music, NYC
ExtrasFull information, rental fees, and .mp3 demo sound file [with vocal by the little "Pepsi commercial girl" Hallie Eisenberg] available at: http://www.wendelmusic.com
HistoryNaples Phil., Flint Sym., New Mexico Sym., NW Indiana Sym., Nassau Pops, Topeka Sym., Parkway Sym., SW Michigan Sym., Kona Sym.
Contributorthe composer
OtherLyrics by Vince Trani

Take Flight

Instrumentation2+picc/2/2+opt B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - timp, 3 perc & strings
Length5:20
DifficultyModerate...most difficult are occasional scale passages, but they don't need to be all that "clean" any way!
CommentsEqually at home in Pops, Educational, or subscription, this work salutes 100 years of powered flight, from Kitty Hawk to space flights.
SourcesScore and parts available from Robert Wendel Music, NYC
http://www.wendelmusic.com
Extrasmp3 file [synth demo] available on the web site
HistoryColumbus Sym., Westerfield Sym., W Hartford Sym., Dakota Valley Sym.
Contributorthe composer
Other

The Pit And The Pendulum

Instrumentation2/2/2/2 - 4/2/3/1 - timp & 3 perc, strings
Length5:25
Difficultymoderate
CommentsA tone poem after Poe's famous story of the Inquisition, The Pit, The Pendulum, and freedom. Appropriate for Halloween Pops, or youth/educational concerts on literary themes. The style is accessible "Hollywood" feel.
SourcesScores and parts available on rental from Robert Wendel Music, NYC http://www.wendelmusic.com
Extrasmp3 demo file at http://www.wendelmusic.com
HistoryNew for 2004.
Contributorthe composer
Other

Towers Of Light - An Elegy For Orchestra

Instrumentation2/2(2d EH)/2/2 - 2/0/0/0 - timp - 2 perc - harp, celeste & strings
[percussion is: triangle, suspended cymbal, Mark Trees, glock, chimes, and tam-tam]
Length7:00
DifficultyModerate/easy [good oboist desirable]
CommentsInspired by the annual light tribute at "ground zero" in NYC, this work is my impressions and reflections of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline at sunset, followed by the gradual illumination of the light "towers" ascending into full view as darkness descends, the play of dust, smoke and even insects in the light, and the gradual fading of the towers as dawn approaches into an ending of beauty and peace.
SourcesScores and parts available on rental from Robert Wendel Music, NYC
http://www.wendelmusic.com
ExtrasDownloadable score and mp3 audio demo at: http://www.wendelmusic.com
HistoryNew for 2006
Contributorthe composer
Other

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